Getting the Cheapest Flights From Toronto to Tokyo

Every Canadian knows that domestic travel costs in Canada can be astronomical—no wonder we often opt for traveling abroad at a similar price tag. If that’s you and you’re looking at how to get yourself from Toronto to Tokyo, here are some tips on who to fly with and when to go.

Toronto to Tokyo – Direct flights vs. layovers

Flight times

A direct flight from Toronto to Tokyo is just shy of 13 hours, and 12 hours on the way back. Most indirect flights, with a stop over in Vancouver or Calgary usually only add a few easy hours (3-5) to your journey. There are stopovers in some US cities as well, but those are inadvisable as they add significant travel time (as much as 24-33 hours total) for no cheaper than transferring in a Canadian city—and with the potential of more hassle.

Direct flight cost

On average, a direct flight will cost you around $1250-1700CAD (low season to peak season, respectively) with Air Canada. And you’ll want to steer clear from flying with ANA (Japan’s largest airline), as their prices can easily add hundreds to those of AC. While it’s a bit pricey to fly direct, it might be an option if you have limited days to spare and want to make the most of your time in Japan.

Indirect flight cost

If time is of no consequence, you’ll want to chose an indirect flight which can shave a few bucks off your journey. On average, a indirect flight will run you $1000-$1250. Do not pay more for $1250 or you’re getting ripped off. If you’re eyeing deals like a hawk, you might be able to find flights for a little under a grand, but it’s rare. Budget for a minimum of $1000 to get yourself to and from Tokyo.

Kamakura is a coastal city famous for its rich history, numerous Buddhist shrines and temples, scenic views and beaches.

Again, Air Canada might be your best bet here—mainly because they provide the most flights between the two countries and therefore there’s a higher chance of finding a deal with them. (Not to mention transferring within Canada is the most hassle-free option.) But keep your eye on comparison sites and you can find flights with transfers in Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific or Chicago/San Francisco via United and myriad of other companies. Most likely, though, your flight time will increase significantly with these other airline companies.

Your best best: Look for indirect flights with Air Canada and pay no more than $1250. This is the best compromise between price and journey time.

Recommended Tokyo Accommodation

Bonus tip: You can have 2 vacations in one (Vancouver and Tokyo) by booking a multi-city trip with Air Canada. That is, with Toronto as your starting destination, you can arrive in Vancouver (first leg), stay for a few days, and then head off to Tokyo for the rest of your trip. You have to play around with dates, but this can sometimes save you hundreds since you’re choosing dates when seats are not in high demand.

A word of warning

Do not (and we mean it) book non-protected self-transfers. These not only require you to re-check in your baggage at your transfer point, but your onward flight is done at your own risk. If you miss it, you need to buy another ticket on the spot.

Which airport to fly into: Narita or Haneda?

If there is no difference in cost, fly into Haneda Airport as it’s in Tokyo proper. Narita Airport is farther away (in the neighbouring Chiba prefecture), but there are plenty of easy and cost-effective ways of getting into Tokyo from there if that’s your only option. Only choose Narita if it saves you, say, $100 or more on a plane ticket. For more on the post-arrival trek, check out our articles on the cheapest ways of getting from Haneda to Tokyo and the cheapest ways of getting from Narita to Tokyo.

Best time to fly from Toronto to Tokyo

If cherry blossoms in springtime are part of your Tokyo dreams, then by all means it’ll be worth the money. If you’re not set on sakura, than this writer recommends visiting in autumn. Not only is the weather perfect for long adventurous walks, the landscape of changing leaves is breathtaking (and dare she say nicer than sakura season). And don’t forget the crazy Halloween street parties in Shibuya. On top of all of that, ticket prices for autumn are on the lower end of the spectrum ($1100-$1300)—cheapo win!